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Posted Mon Mar 20 10:55:54 EAT 2017

Manchester United accused after tunnel row

Players from both sides clash towards the end of the English Premier League football match between Middlesbrough and Manchester United at Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough, north east England on March 19, 2017. Manchester United won the game 3-1. PHOTO | LINDSEY PARNABY |

By AFP

In Summary

Jose Mourinho's Manchester United players were accused of sparking an ugly clash in the tunnel in a stormy aftermath to their 3-1 win at Middlesbrough.

United remain in contention for Champions League qualification after a hard-fought victory on Sunday, which ended with rival players separated by security staff in the tunnel when punches were reportedly thrown.

Middlesbrough captain Ben Gibson and United's former England midfielder Ashley Young were restrained by team-mates as tempers flared.

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MIDDLESBROUGH

Jose Mourinho's Manchester United players were accused of sparking an ugly clash in the tunnel in a stormy aftermath to their 3-1 win at Middlesbrough.

United remain in contention for Champions League qualification after a hard-fought victory on Sunday, which ended with rival players separated by security staff in the tunnel when punches were reportedly thrown.

Middlesbrough captain Ben Gibson and United's former England midfielder Ashley Young were restrained by team-mates as tempers flared.

Mourinho refused to comment, but Middlesbrough caretaker manager Steve Agnew insisted his players were reacting to provocation after a stoppage-time bust-up between United defender Eric Bailly and Rudy Gestede, which initially appeared to include the duo biting each other before replays showed it was only a heated clinch.

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"That many bodies were there, it was hard to tell with all the pushing and shoving.

"What triggered it off I don't know? I've got a group of very well behaved players so I can assure you it wouldn't be one of ours.

"What I would say it would have been a reaction because of the spirit they have."

Mourinho had enflamed matters before the game by suggesting he 'knew the names' of the players he claimed had been responsible for the departure of Aitor Karanka, his former Real Madrid assistant who was sacked as Middlesbrough boss last week.

The Portuguese headed down the tunnel at the final whistle without acknowledging his opposite number, though Agnew confirmed the pair had shaken hands in the tunnel afterwards.

"Was this justice for Karanka?" Mourinho said after seeing his side extend their 18-game unbeaten league run to end a 19-week stay in sixth by climbing to fifth, two points ahead of Arsenal and Everton.